British men fight extradition on sex charges

TIRANA, Feb. 26 – The British press reported that two men accused of sexually abusing young orphans in Albania appeared in court today to fight their extradition. Dino Christodoulou, 44, a former charity worker from Blackburn, and Robin Arnold, 55, have been charged with molesting six victims between ages six and 13. Records indicate the men had worked at His Children refuge in Tirana in 2004. A third man, David Brown, is in Albania awaiting trial.
Christodoulou and Arnold argued that Albanian authorities were moving towards a trial before their extradition had been determined.
Christodoulou’s lawyer, Ben Cooper, said the court in Tirana should provide records to “remove any doubt” about proceedings already in place, adding the men were at risk of losing their right to a fair trial as proceedings went ahead in their absence.
Clair Dobbin, representing Albanian authorities, said she had been told the case against the two men would be suspended until they were extradited. Judge Anthony Evans remanded both men in custody until March 10 when he will issue his written judgment.